Location-Aware Mobile Device

ABSTRACT

One or more location-based clients can be activated on a mobile device for providing location-based services. The location-based clients can be provided with information (e.g., presets, defaults) related to the current location and/or mode of the mobile device. The information can be obtained from one or more network resources. In some implementations, a number of location-based clients can run concurrently on the mobile device and share information.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation (and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC 120) of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/745,638, filed Jun.22, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/163,858, filed Jun. 27, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,199, issuedJun. 23, 2015, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. PatentApplication No. 60/946,774, filed Jun. 28, 2007. All of theseapplications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter of this patent application is generally related tomobile devices.

BACKGROUND

Conventional mobile devices are often dedicated to performing a specificapplication. For example, a mobile phone provides telephony services, apersonal digital assistant (PDA) provides a way to organize addresses,contacts and notes, a media player plays content, email devices provideemail communication, etc. Modern mobile devices can include two or moreof these applications. Due to the size limitation of a typical mobiledevice, such mobile devices may need to rely on a network or otherremote services to support these multiple applications. For example, amap service may provide maps to a mobile device over a network, whichcan be used with one or more applications running on the mobile device.The introduction of a positioning system integrated with, or coupled to,the mobile device provides additional opportunities for providinglocation-based services.

SUMMARY

One or more location-based clients can be activated on a mobile devicefor providing location-based services. The location-based clients can beprovided with information (e.g., presets, defaults) related to thecurrent location and/or mode of the mobile device. The information canbe obtained from one or more network resources. In some implementations,a number of location-based clients can run concurrently on the mobiledevice and share information.

In some implementations, a method includes: activating a firstlocation-based client on a mobile device; determining a location of themobile device; determining a mode associated with the device;transmitting the location and mode to a network resource; receivinginformation related to the location and mode from the network resource;and providing the information to the first location-based client.

In some implementations, a method includes: receiving a location of amobile device; receiving a mode associated with the mobile device;identifying information related to the location and the mode; andtransmitting the information to the mobile device.

Other implementations are disclosed which are directed to systems,methods and computer-readable mediums.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example mobile device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example network operating environmentfor the mobile device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example implementation of the mobiledevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example implementation of a software stack forthe mobile device of FIG. 1

FIG. 4B illustrates an example implementation of a security process forremote access management over a secure communications channel.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a mobile device runninglocation-based clients.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for providing location-basedinformation to location-based clients.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example mobile device 100. The mobiledevice 100 can be, for example, a handheld computer, a personal digitalassistant, a cellular telephone, a network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, anetwork base station, a media player, a navigation device, an emaildevice, a game console, or other electronic device or a combination ofany two or more of these devices.

Mobile Device Overview

In some implementations, the mobile device 100 includes atouch-sensitive display 102. The touch-sensitive display 102 canimplement liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emittingpolymer display (LPD) technology, or some other display technology. Thetouch-sensitive display 102 can be sensitive to haptic and/or tactilecontact with a user.

In some implementations, the touch-sensitive display 102 can comprise amulti-touch-sensitive display 102. A multi-touch-sensitive display 102can, for example, process multiple simultaneous touch points, includingprocessing data related to the pressure, degree and/or position of eachtouch point. Such processing facilitates gestures and interactions withmultiple fingers, chording, and other interactions. Othertouch-sensitive display technologies can also be used, e.g., a displayin which contact is made using a stylus or other pointing device. Someexamples of multi-touch-sensitive display technology are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,323,846, 6,570,557, 6,677,932, and U.S. PatentPublication 2002/0015024A1, each of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

In some implementations, the mobile device 100 can display one or moregraphical user interfaces on the touch-sensitive display 102 forproviding the user access to various system objects and for conveyinginformation to the user. In some implementations, the graphical userinterface can include one or more display objects 104, 106. In theexample shown, the display objects 104, 106, are graphic representationsof system objects. Some examples of system objects include devicefunctions, applications, windows, files, alerts, events, or otheridentifiable system objects.

Example Mobile Device Functionality

In some implementations, the mobile device 100 can implement multipledevice functionalities, such as a telephony device, as indicated by aphone object 110; an e-mail device, as indicated by the e-mail object112; a network data communication device, as indicated by the Web object114; a Wi-Fi base station device (not shown); and a media processingdevice, as indicated by the media player object 116. In someimplementations, particular display objects 104, e.g., the phone object110, the e-mail object 112, the Web object 114, and the media playerobject 116, can be displayed in a menu bar 118. In some implementations,device functionalities can be accessed from a top-level graphical userinterface, such as the graphical user interface illustrated in FIG. 1.Touching one of the objects 110, 112, 114 or 116 can, for example,invoke corresponding functionality.

In some implementations, the mobile device 100 can implement networkdistribution functionality. For example, the functionality can enablethe user to take the mobile device 100 and its associated network whiletraveling. In particular, the mobile device 100 can extend Internetaccess (e.g., Wi-Fi) to other wireless devices in the vicinity. Forexample, mobile device 100 can be configured as a base station for oneor more devices. As such, mobile device 100 can grant or deny networkaccess to other wireless devices.

In some implementations, upon invocation of device functionality, thegraphical user interface of the mobile device 100 changes, or isaugmented or replaced with another user interface or user interfaceelements, to facilitate user access to particular functions associatedwith the corresponding device functionality. For example, in response toa user touching the phone object 110, the graphical user interface ofthe touch-sensitive display 102 may present display objects related tovarious phone functions; likewise, touching of the email object 112 maycause the graphical user interface to present display objects related tovarious e-mail functions; touching the Web object 114 may cause thegraphical user interface to present display objects related to variousWeb-surfing functions; and touching the media player object 116 maycause the graphical user interface to present display objects related tovarious media processing functions.

In some implementations, the top-level graphical user interfaceenvironment or state of FIG. 1 can be restored by pressing a button 120located near the bottom of the mobile device 100. In someimplementations, each corresponding device functionality may havecorresponding “home” display objects displayed on the touch-sensitivedisplay 102, and the graphical user interface environment of FIG. 1 canbe restored by pressing the “home” display object.

In some implementations, the top-level graphical user interface caninclude additional display objects 106, such as a short messagingservice (SMS) object 130, a calendar object 132, a photos object 134, acamera object 136, a calculator object 138, a stocks object 140, aweather object 142, a maps object 144, a city guide object 146, a clockobject 148, an address book object 150, and a settings object 152.Touching the SMS display object 130 can, for example, invoke an SMSmessaging environment and supporting functionality; likewise, eachselection of a display object 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 148,150 and 152 can invoke a corresponding object environment andfunctionality.

Additional and/or different display objects can also be displayed in thegraphical user interface of FIG. 1. For example, if the device 100 isfunctioning as a base station for other devices, one or more“connection” objects may appear in the graphical user interface toindicate the connection. In some implementations, the display objects106 can be configured by a user, e.g., a user may specify which displayobjects 106 are displayed, and/or may download additional applicationsor other software that provides other functionalities and correspondingdisplay objects.

In some implementations, the mobile device 100 can include one or moreinput/output (I/O) devices and/or sensor devices. For example, a speaker160 and a microphone 162 can be included to facilitate voice-enabledfunctionalities, such as phone and voice mail functions. In someimplementations, a loud speaker 164 can be included to facilitatehands-free voice functionalities, such as speaker phone functions. Anaudio jack 166 can also be included for use of headphones and/or amicrophone.

In some implementations, a proximity sensor 168 can be included tofacilitate the detection of the user positioning the mobile device 100proximate to the user's ear and, in response, to disengage thetouch-sensitive display 102 to prevent accidental function invocations.In some implementations, the touch-sensitive display 102 can be turnedoff to conserve additional power when the mobile device 100 is proximateto the user's ear.

Other sensors can also be used. For example, in some implementations, anambient light sensor 170 can be utilized to facilitate adjusting thebrightness of the touch-sensitive display 102. In some implementations,an accelerometer 172 can be utilized to detect movement of the mobiledevice 100, as indicated by the directional arrow 174. Accordingly,display objects and/or media can be presented according to a detectedorientation, e.g., portrait or landscape. In some implementations, themobile device 100 may include circuitry and sensors for supporting alocation determining capability, such as that provided by the globalpositioning system (GPS) or other positioning systems (e.g., systemsusing Wi-Fi access points, television signals, cellular grids, UniformResource Locators (URLs)). In some implementations, a positioning system(e.g., a GPS receiver) can be integrated into the mobile device 100 orprovided as a separate device that can be coupled to the mobile device100 through an interface (e.g., port device 190) to provide access tolocation-based services.

The mobile device 100 can also include a camera lens and sensor 180. Insome implementations, the camera lens and sensor 180 can be located onthe back surface of the mobile device 100. The camera can capture stillimages and/or video.

The mobile device 100 can also include one or more wirelesscommunication subsystems, such as a 802.11b/g communication device 186,and/or a Bluetooth™ communication device 188. Other communicationprotocols can also be supported, including other 802.x communicationprotocols (e.g., WiMax, Wi-Fi, 3G), code division multiple access(CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (EDGE), etc.

In some implementations, a port device 190, e.g., a Universal Serial Bus(USB) port, or a docking port, or some other wired port connection, canbe included. The port device 190 can, for example, be utilized toestablish a wired connection to other computing devices, such as othercommunication devices 100, network access devices, a personal computer,a printer, or other processing devices capable of receiving and/ortransmitting data. In some implementations, the port device 190 allowsthe mobile device 100 to synchronize with a host device using one ormore protocols, such as, for example, the TCP/IP, HTTP, UDP and anyother known protocol.

Network Operating Environment

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example network operating environment200 for the mobile device 100 of FIG. 1. The mobile device 100 of FIG. 1can, for example, communicate over one or more wired and/or wirelessnetworks 210 in data communication. For example, a wireless network 212,e.g., a cellular network, can communicate with a wide area network (WAN)214, such as the Internet, by use of a gateway 216. Likewise, an accesspoint 218, such as an 802.11g wireless access point, can providecommunication access to the wide area network 214. In someimplementations, both voice and data communications can be establishedover the wireless network 212 and the access point 218. For example, themobile device 100 a can place and receive phone calls (e.g., using VoIPprotocols), send and receive e-mail messages (e.g., using POP3protocol), and retrieve electronic documents and/or streams, such as webpages, photographs, and videos, over the wireless network 212, gateway216, and wide area network 214 (e.g., using TCP/IP or UDP protocols).Likewise, the mobile device 100 b can place and receive phone calls,send and receive e-mail messages, and retrieve electronic documents overthe access point 218 and the wide area network 214. In someimplementations, the mobile device 100 can be physically connected tothe access point 218 using one or more cables and the access point 218can be a personal computer. In this configuration, the mobile device 100can be referred to as a “tethered” device.

The mobile devices 100 a and 100 b can also establish communications byother means. For example, the wireless device 100 a can communicate withother wireless devices, e.g., other wireless devices 100, cell phones,etc., over the wireless network 212. Likewise, the mobile devices 100 aand 100 b can establish peer-to-peer communications 220, e.g., apersonal area network, by use of one or more communication subsystems,such as the Bluetooth™ communication device 188 shown in FIG. 1. Othercommunication protocols and topologies can also be implemented.

The mobile device 100 can, for example, communicate with one or moreservices 230, 240, 250, 260, 270 over the one or more wired and/orwireless networks 210. For example, a navigation service 230 can providenavigation information, e.g., map information, location information,route information, and other information, to the mobile device 100. Inthe example shown, a user of the mobile device 100 b has invoked a mapfunctionality, e.g., by pressing the maps object 144 on the top-levelgraphical user interface shown in FIG. 1, and has requested and receiveda map for the location “1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, Calif.”

A messaging service 240 can, for example, provide e-mail and/or othermessaging services. A media service 250 can, for example, provide accessto media files, such as song files, movie files, video clips, and othermedia data. A syncing service 260 can, for example, perform syncingservices (e.g., sync files). An activation service 270 can, for example,perform an activation process 500 for activating the mobile device 100,as described in reference to FIG. 5. Other services can also beprovided, including a software update service that automaticallydetermines whether software updates exist for software on the mobiledevice 100, then downloads the software updates to the mobile device 100where it can be manually or automatically unpacked and/or installed.

The mobile device 100 can also access other data and content over theone or more wired and/or wireless networks 210. For example, contentpublishers 270, such as news sites, RSS feeds, web sites, blogs, socialnetworking sites, developer networks, etc., can be accessed by themobile device 100. Such access can be provided by invocation of a webbrowsing function or application (e.g., a browser) in response to a usertouching the Web object 114.

Example Mobile Device Architecture

FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 of an example implementation of the mobiledevice 100 of FIG. 1. The mobile device 100 can include a memoryinterface 302, one or more data processors, image processors and/orcentral processing units 304, and a peripherals interface 306. Thememory interface 302, the one or more processors 304 and/or theperipherals interface 306 can be separate components or can beintegrated in one or more integrated circuits. The various components inthe mobile device 100 can be coupled by one or more communication busesor signal lines.

Sensors, devices and subsystems can be coupled to the peripheralsinterface 306 to facilitate multiple functionalities. For example, amotion sensor 310, a light sensor 312, and a proximity sensor 314 can becoupled to the peripherals interface 306 to facilitate the orientation,lighting and proximity functions described with respect to FIG. 1. Othersensors 316 can also be connected to the peripherals interface 306, suchas a positioning system (e.g., GPS receiver), a temperature sensor, abiometric sensor, or other sensing device, to facilitate relatedfunctionalities.

A camera subsystem 320 and an optical sensor 322, e.g., a chargedcoupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)optical sensor, can be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such asrecording photographs and video clips.

Communication functions can be facilitated through one or more wirelesscommunication subsystems 324, which can include radio frequencyreceivers and transmitters and/or optical (e.g., infrared) receivers andtransmitters. The specific design and implementation of thecommunication subsystem 324 can depend on the communication network(s)over which the mobile device 100 is intended to operate. For example, amobile device 100 may include communication subsystems 324 designed tooperate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a Wi-Fi orWiMax network, and a Bluetooth™ network. In particular, the wirelesscommunication subsystems 324 may include hosting protocols such that thedevice 100 may be configured as a base station for other wirelessdevices.

An audio subsystem 326 can be coupled to a speaker 328 and a microphone330 to facilitate voice-enabled functions, such as voice recognition,voice replication, digital recording, and telephony functions.

The I/O subsystem 340 can include a touch screen controller 342 and/orother input controller(s) 344. The touch-screen controller 342 can becoupled to a touch screen 346. The touch screen 346 and touch screencontroller 342 can, for example, detect contact and movement or breakthereof using any of a plurality of touch sensitivity technologies,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith the touch screen 346.

The other input controller(s) 344 can be coupled to other input/controldevices 348, such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb-wheel,infrared port, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus. Theone or more buttons (not shown) can include an up/down button for volumecontrol of the speaker 328 and/or the microphone 330.

In one implementation, a pressing of the button for a first duration maydisengage a lock of the touch screen 346; and a pressing of the buttonfor a second duration that is longer than the first duration may turnpower to the mobile device 100 on or off. The user may be able tocustomize a functionality of one or more of the buttons. The touchscreen 346 can, for example, also be used to implement virtual or softbuttons and/or a keypad or keyboard.

In some implementations, the mobile device 100 can present recordedaudio and/or video files, such as MP3, AAC, and MPEG files. In someimplementations, the mobile device 100 can include the functionality ofan MP3 player, such as an iPod™. The mobile device 100 may, therefore,include a 36-pin connector that is compatible with the iPod. Otherinput/output and control devices can also be used.

The memory interface 302 can be coupled to memory 350. The memory 350can include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory,such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more opticalstorage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). The memory 350can store an operating system 352, such as Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OSX, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. Theoperating system 352 may include instructions for handling basic systemservices and for performing hardware dependent tasks. In someimplementations, the operating system 352 can be a kernel (e.g., UNIXkernel), as described in reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

The memory 350 may also store communication instructions 354 tofacilitate communicating with one or more additional devices, one ormore computers and/or one or more servers. The memory 350 may includegraphical user interface instructions 356 to facilitate graphic userinterface processing; sensor processing instructions 358 to facilitatesensor-related processing and functions; phone instructions 360 tofacilitate phone-related processes and functions; electronic messaginginstructions 362 to facilitate electronic-messaging related processesand functions; web browsing instructions 364 to facilitate webbrowsing-related processes and functions; media processing instructions366 to facilitate media processing-related processes and functions;GPS/Navigation instructions 368 to facilitate GPS and navigation-relatedprocesses and instructions; camera instructions 370 to facilitatecamera-related processes and functions; and/or other softwareinstructions 372 to facilitate processes and functions, as described inreference to FIGS. 4-6. As described below, an activation record andIMEI or similar hardware identifier 374 can also be stored in memory350.

Each of the above identified instructions and applications cancorrespond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above. These instructions need not be implemented as separatesoftware programs, procedures or modules. The memory 350 can includeadditional instructions or fewer instructions. Furthermore, variousfunctions of the mobile device 100 may be implemented in hardware and/orin software, including in one or more signal processing and/orapplication specific integrated circuits.

Software Stack and Security Process

FIG. 4A illustrates an example implementation of a software stack 400for the mobile device of FIG. 1. In some implementations, the softwarestack 400 includes an operating system (OS) kernel 402 (e.g., a UNIXkernel), a library system 404, an application framework 406 and anapplication layer 408.

The OS kernel 402 manages the resources of the mobile device 100 andallows other programs to run and use these resources. Some examples ofresources include a processor, memory and I/O. For example, the kernel402 can determine which running processes should be allocated to aprocessor, processors or processor cores, allocates memory to theprocesses and allocates requests from applications and remote servicesto perform I/O operations. In some implementations, the kernel 402provides methods for synchronization and inter-process communicationswith other devices.

In some implementations, the kernel 402 can be stored in non-volatilememory of the mobile device 100. When the mobile device 100 is turnedon, a boot loader starts executing the kernel 102 in supervisor mode.The kernel then initializes itself and starts one or more processes forthe mobile device 100, including a remote access process 404 b forremote access management, as described in reference to FIG. 4B.

The library system 404 provides various services applications running inthe application layer 408. Such services can include audio services,video services, database services, image processing services, graphicsservices, location-based services, etc.

The application framework 406 provides an object-oriented applicationenvironment including classes and Application Programming Interfaces(APIs) that can be used by developers to build applications usingwell-known programming languages (e.g., Objective-C, Java).

The applications layer 408 is where various applications exist in thesoftware stack 400. Developers can use the APIs and environment providedby the application framework 406 to build applications, such as theapplications represented by the display objects 104, 106, shown in FIG.1 (e.g., email, media player, Web browser, phone).

In some implementations, the applications layer 408 includes one or morelocation-based clients (e.g., applications, widgets). In the exampleshown, the applications layer 408 includes a City Guide client 408 a, acurrency converter client 408 b, a radio client 408 c and a world clockclient 408 n. Other location-based clients are possible, such as aninformation directory client (e.g., “Yellow Pages”), a music client, aweather client, a sports client, a movie/television client, a tidalwatch client, a golf helper client, etc. Each of these location-basedclients will be described in more detail in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In some implementations, the location-based clients 408 a-n can makecalls to various services provided by the library system 404. Theservices can be accessed by the clients 408 a-n through the applicationframework 406, for example. In the example shown, the library system 404includes a location server 404 a and a remote access process 404 b. Thelocation server 404 a is a server process that communicates with apositioning system (e.g., a GPS receiver integrated or coupled to themobile device 100) and serves the current position coordinates of themobile device to the location-based clients 408 a-n in response to aclient request or other trigger event. In some implementations, theposition coordinates are stored in a location in memory 350 (e.g., areserved memory location), which can be accessed by clients 408 a-n. Thelocation server 404 a can refresh the location in memory 350 on aperiodic basis or in response to a trigger event.

Secure Communication Channel

FIG. 4B illustrates an example implementation of the remote accessprocess 404 b for remote access management over a communications channel422 (e.g., a secure communications channel). In the example shown, themobile device 100 is running the remote access process 404 b, whichcommunicates with the OS kernel 402. Any remote access requests made tothe kernel 402 are intercepted by the process 404 b, which isresponsible for setting up communication sessions between the mobiledevice 100 and mobile services access device. In some implementations,the process 404 b uses a cryptographic protocol, such as Secure SocketsLayer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) to provide securecommunication sessions between the mobile device 100 and an access point218. The access point 218 can be any device with network connectivity,including but not limited to: a personal computer, a hub, an Ethernetcard, another mobile device, a wireless base station, etc. The securecommunications channel can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet, awireless link (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax, 3G), an optical link, infrared link,FireWire™, or any other known communications channel or media.

In the example shown, the access point 218 includes device drivers 414,a mobile services daemon 416, a mobile services API 418 and one or moremobile service applications 420. The device drivers 414 are responsiblefor implementing a transport layer protocol, such as TCP/IP over USB.The mobile services daemon 416 listens (e.g. continuously) to thecommunications channel 422 for activity and manages the transmission ofcommands and data over the communication channel 422. The mobileservices API 418 provides a set of functions, procedures, variables anddata structures for supporting requests for services made by the mobileservices application 420. The mobile services application 420 can be aclient program running on the access point, which provides one or moreuser interfaces for allowing a user to interact with a remote service(e.g., activation service 270) over a network (e.g., the Internet,wireless network, peer-to-peer network, optical network, Ethernet,intranet). The application 420 can allow a user to set preferences,download or update files of content or software, search databases, storeuser data, select services, browse content, perform financialtransactions, or engage in any other online service or function. Anexample of a mobile services application 420 is the iTunes™ client,which is publicly available from Apple, Inc. (Cupertino, Calif.). Anexample of mobile device 100 that uses the iTunes™ client is the iPod™product developed by Apple Inc.

In an example operational mode, a user connects the mobile device 100 tothe mobile access point using, for example, a USB cable. In otherimplementations, the mobile device 100 and access point 218 includewireless transceivers for establishing a wireless link (e.g., Wi-Fi).The drivers 414 and kernel 408 detect the connection and alert theremote access process 404 b and mobile services daemon 416 of theconnection status. Once the connection is established certainnon-sensitive information can be passed from the mobile device 100 tothe access point 218 (e.g., name, disk size, activation state) to assistin establishing a secure communication session.

In some implementations, the remote access process 404 b establishes asecure communication session (e.g., encrypted SSL session) with theaccess point 218 by implementing a secure network protocol. For example,if using SSL protocol, the mobile device 100 and access point 218 willnegotiate a cipher suite to be used during data transfer, establish andshare a session key, and authenticate the access point 218 to the mobiledevice 100. In some implementations, if the mobile device 100 ispassword protected, the process 404 b will not establish a session, andoptionally alert the user of the reason for failure.

Once a secure session is successfully established, the mobile device 100and the access point 218 can exchange sensitive information (e.g.,passwords, personal information), and remote access to the mobile device100 can be granted to one or more services (e.g., navigation service230, messaging service 240, media service 250, syncing service 260,activation service 270). In some implementations, the mobile servicesdaemon 416 multiplexes commands and data for transmission over thecommunication channel 422. This multiplexing allows several remoteservices to have access to the mobile device 100 in a single sessionwithout the need to start a new session (or handshaking) for eachservice requesting access to the mobile device 100.

Location-Based Clients

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a mobile device 100 runninglocation-based clients. In the example shown, the mobile device 100 isrunning a City Guide client, and the mobile device 100 is located in SanFrancisco. The City Guide client presents various information related toSan Francisco on the touch-sensitive display 102. In this example, theuser selected a “Use Device Coordinates” option 510. Selecting thisoption engages a positioning system (e.g., a GPS receiver) thatautomatically determines the geographic location of the mobile device100. In other implementations, the user can enter a location of interestin a search box 512.

In some implementations, the City Guide client allows a user to selectone of four city guide modes: video mode 514, audio mode, slide mode andtext mode. In this example, the user selected the video mode 514. Thevideo mode 514 provides a video tour of San Francisco using a videodisplay 502, which can be controlled by the user with video controls508. In some implementations, placemarks (e.g., pushpins) are overlaidon the video at locations for which there is additional informationavailable. The additional information can be presented on thetouch-sensitive display 102 in a variety of ways, including as a map 506or through a directory 504 or other user interface element or control(e.g., a menu system). In the example shown, the location currentlyshown in the video display 502 is the Golden Gate Bridge, which ismarked with pushpin 503. The location is also marked on the map 506 witha corresponding pushpin 507. Some examples of locations that could berepresented on a map by placemarks include businesses (e.g.,restaurants, lodging), services (e.g., hospitals, police) andattractions (e.g., parks, picnic areas, monuments).

The directory 504 can include several user interface elements that canbe selected (e.g., touched by a finger or stylus) to provide additionalinformation related to the location marked by the pushpins 503 and 507,which in this example is the Golden Gate Bridge. In someimplementations, the directory 504 can include user interface elements(e.g., buttons) that can be selected to display information aboutrestaurants, lodging, parks, picnic areas, and/or businesses in thevicinity of the Golden Gate Bridge. The current weather 504 can also beshown, or any other information 516 relevant to the current location ofthe mobile device 100. In some implementations, advertisements forproducts or services related to the location and/or a mode (e.g., videomode) of the mobile device 100 can be presented on the mobile device 100using display means (e.g., the touch-sensitive display 102) and/or audiomeans (e.g., a ring tone, text-to-speech, voicemail, an audio file).

Other city guide modes can also be selected by the user. For example, anaudio mode can be selected to provide an audio tour of San Francisco, aslide mode can be selected to provide a slide show of San Francisco anda text mode can be selected to provide an electronic guide book of SanFrancisco. In some implementations, one or more modes can be combined toprovide a multimedia presentation.

An advantage of the implementation just described is the ability oflocation-based clients to share information. In the example shown, thedevice coordinates were provided by the location server 404 a. In someimplementations, when the user selects the video mode 514, the mobiledevice 100 establishes a communication session with a remote service(e.g., a server) over a communications channel (e.g., wired or wirelesslink). The mobile device 100 provides the service with the positioncoordinates of the mobile device 100 and the service returns video, mapand directory information to the mobile device 100, where it can be usedby one or more location-based clients. In some implementations, theservice provides presets or default values for loading into one or morelocation-based clients. As the user navigates the video guide with thecontrols 508, information regarding the current location is shared witha map service for rendering the map 506, and for determining whichinformation to list in the directory 504.

Other location-based clients include a currency converter 509 which canbe loaded with a preset for converting currency based on the location ofthe mobile device 100. In this example, the currency converter 509allows the user to convert from a desired foreign currency to U.S.currency, or vice-versa. Another client can be a radio client 522 forstreaming music by local artists and providing local concertinformation. The radio client could be loaded with presets for localradio stations. A “Yellow Pages” client could be loaded with locallistings. A weather client could be loaded with local weatherconditions, a world clock client could be loaded with the local time, atidal watch client could be loaded with local tide tables (e.g., for useby surfers and fisherman), a golf helper client could be loaded withinformation about local golf courses (e.g., notes about the courseconditions, pars, and strategies for playing the holes). All or some ofthese clients can operate on the mobile device 100 either alone orconcurrently with other clients and share information. In someimplementations, information from a first client can be used to changeproperties or attributes of a second location-based client (e.g., changea user interface associated with a client). In some implementations,activating a first location-based client causes a second location-basedclient to activate.

In some implementations, the user can interact with the clients andleave information which can be uploaded from the mobile device 100 tothe service, where it can be accessed by or shared with other users. Forexample, the user could touch a pushpin 503, 507, and be provided withinformation regarding the location marked by the pushpin, 503, 507.Additionally, a text box or other input mechanism can be presented forallowing the user to enter information or attach content (e.g., digitalphotos), which can be sent to the service.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process 600 for providing location-basedinformation (e.g., presets, defaults) to location-based clients. Theprocess 600 begins when a location-based client is activated on themobile device (602). The client can be activated manually by the userthrough, for example, the touch-sensitive display 102, or automaticallyby another client or trigger event.

The location and/or a mode of the mobile device is determined (604). Thelocation (e.g., latitude, longitude) can be determined by a positioningsystem integrated in, or coupled to, the mobile device. The location canbe determined independent of whether any client is currently active. Thelocation and/or mode can be transmitted to one or more network resources(606). The network resources can use the location and/or mode toidentify relevant information to send to the mobile device. In someimplementations, the information can be selected based on the type oflocation-based client requesting the information.

A mode can indicate a state of the device or a context based on useractivity. For example, if the user is browsing the web with the mobiledevice 100, then the mobile device 100 can provide a context modedescriptor to the service indicating that the user is currently in abrowsing mode. The descriptor can also include search terms, a currentweb page URL, historical browsing patterns (e.g., URLs of cached webpages), bookmarks, etc. The service can use the descriptor to providelocation-based services and/or content. In another example, if the useris taking digital pictures with the mobile device 100 (e.g., a cameraintegrated with a mobile phone), then the mobile device 100 can send astate mode descriptor to the service indicating that the user iscurrently taking a digital picture. The service can use the descriptorto provide location-based service, such a link to a camera store or awebsite where the user can upload and share their photos. In anotherexample, an audio mode descriptor can be set to the service forindicating that the user is currently listening to music (e.g.,operating an MP3 player). The service can use the audio mode descriptorto provide location-based services and/or content related to music. Theaudio mode descriptor could also include information about the songbeing played, such as title, artist, genre, etc.

The information is received by the mobile device (608), and provided tothe location-based client requesting the information (610). In someimplementations, the information can be updated periodically or inresponse to a trigger event while the location-based client is inoperation.

In some implementations, each location-based client has a uniqueidentifier that can be sent to the service, so that the service knowsthe type of client that will be using the information. In the exampleshown, the mobile device 100 can send one or more identifiers ordescriptors to the service that indicate that the user is running a CityGuide location-based client and that a video mode 514 has been selected.The service can then use the identifiers and the location information todownload a video city guide for San Francisco.

In some implementations, a mobile device connected to a communicationsnetwork may download a “tour” which is an association of data andlocations. For example, a set of video, music, spoken or text contentassociated with various points on a path such as a road or trail foreducation, tourism, recreation, etc. In some implementations, a set ofspeeds or other vehicle related recommendations can also be downloaded.The recommendations can include, for example, suggested gear shiftsassociated with specific road segments for energy efficient driving andsafety.

In some implementations, a mobile device in association with a locationaware system (e.g., GPS, accelerometer, inertial measurement unit) canplay data or content associated with a path or road as a tour istraveled by a person or vehicle. For example, video, music, spoken ortext content may be presented as the user moves through the associatedlocations on a walk or drive. Alternatively, the vehicle relatedsettings and recommendations (e.g., gear position, speed) may bedisplayed or presented as the vehicle moves through the various segmentsof the drive. In this embodiment, real time data from the vehicle (e.g.,remaining charge, remaining fuel, etc.) may be used to fine tune oradjust the recommendations for the rest of the path traveled. Vehicleequipment can be used as a display system or presentation system. Forexample, the vehicle's GPS or other console can be used to display videoor text and the vehicle's speaker system can be used to play audio. Themobile device can communicate tour data and content to vehicle equipmentthrough a wired or wireless link (e.g., cable, Bluetooth link).

In some implementations, an accelerometer based system with a processorand a memory can improve location estimates during, for example, awalking or driving tour. Given an accurate start point and a route, thesystem can determine that a particular path or route is being followedbased on detection of turns and direction of turns. As the vehicle oruser moves up and down over highway ramps, major dips in the road,bridges, etc., the accelerometer can detect changes in vertical velocityand map a vertical velocity change profile of the vehicle to one ofseveral possible routes. The velocity change profile can be combinedwith the turn information and/or GPS or other positioning technology(e.g., Wi-Fi, cell tower triangulation) to improve location estimatesfor the vehicle.

In some implementations, a tour's content may change depending on thedirection and speed of the mobile device 100. For example, if a user isheading North, the mobile device 100 may present the user with materialfor destinations that the user is about to reach. Thus, in addition toreceiving content based on current location, the service can determine(e.g., predict) the user's future locations based on sensor data, routetraveled, landmarks, etc., and provide location-based services and/orcontent based on those future locations. In some implementations, theway content is presented to a user can change based on user's travelspeed. For example, a speedy traveler could receive heading pages forprior saved media and a strolling traveler could see a completepresentation.

The features described can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or incombinations of them. The features can be implemented in a computerprogram product tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in amachine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for executionby a programmable processor; and method steps can be performed by aprogrammable processor executing a program of instructions to performfunctions of the described implementations by operating on input dataand generating output.

After the mobile device is activated, in some implementations the remoteaccess process 404 b monitors remote access requests and sets-up andtears-down secure sessions as needed. Thus, in such an implementationall remote access requests are managed by a single remote access process404 b. If a user alters the mobile device (e.g., changing a SIM card),the remote access process 404 b will detect the change and initiate anaction, such as starting a new activation process 500, 600.

The described features can be implemented advantageously in one or morecomputer programs that are executable on a programmable system includingat least one programmable processor coupled to receive data andinstructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a datastorage system, at least one input device, and at least one outputdevice. A computer program is a set of instructions that can be used,directly or indirectly, in a computer to perform a certain activity orbring about a certain result. A computer program can be written in anyform of programming language (e.g., Objective-C, Java), includingcompiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form,including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructionsinclude, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors, and the sole processor or one of multiple processors orcores, of any kind of computer. Generally, a processor will receiveinstructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memoryor both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor forexecuting instructions and one or more memories for storing instructionsand data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operativelycoupled to communicate with, one or more mass storage devices forstoring data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andoptical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computerprogram instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features can be implementedon a computer having a display device such as a CRT (cathode ray tube)or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displaying information tothe user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or atrackball by which the user can provide input to the computer.

The features can be implemented in a computer system that includes aback-end component, such as a data server, or that includes a middlewarecomponent, such as an application server or an Internet server, or thatincludes a front-end component, such as a client computer having agraphical user interface or an Internet browser, or any combination ofthem. The components of the system can be connected by any form ormedium of digital data communication such as a communication network.Examples of communication networks include, e.g., a LAN, a WAN, and thecomputers and networks forming the Internet.

The computer system can include clients and servers. A client and serverare generally remote from each other and typically interact through anetwork. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue ofcomputer programs running on the respective computers and having aclient-server relationship to each other.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made. For example,elements of one or more implementations may be combined, deleted,modified, or supplemented to form further implementations. As yetanother example, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not requirethe particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may beeliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be addedto, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method comprising: determining, by a mobile device, alocation of the mobile device; transmitting, to a network resource, arequest for information corresponding to the determined location of themobile device; receiving, from the network resource, information thatincludes first content associated with a first location-based client andsecond content associated with a second location-based client, whereinthe first and the second location-based clients are configured to beexecuted on the mobile device; in response to receiving the informationfrom the network resource: controlling the first location-based clientto present, on a display coupled to the mobile device, the firstcontent; and controlling the second location-based client to present, onthe display coupled to the mobile device, the second content, whereinthe first content and the second content are presented concurrently onthe display coupled to the mobile device.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the first location-based client includes a map client and thesecond location-based client includes a weather client, the methodcomprising: presenting a map indicating the location of the mobiledevice; and presenting current weather at the location of the mobiledevice concurrently with presenting the map indicating the location ofthe mobile device.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein controlling thefirst location-based client to present the first content and controllingthe second location-based client to present the second contentcomprises: presenting a map indicating the location of the mobiledevice; and in conjunction with presenting the map indicating thelocation of the mobile device, presenting advertisements for products orservices related to the location of the mobile device.
 5. The method ofclaim 2, wherein controlling the first location-based client to presentthe first content and controlling the second location-based client topresent the second content comprises: presenting a map indicating thelocation of the mobile device; and in conjunction with presenting themap indicating the location of the mobile device, presenting informationon one or more of businesses, services or attractions corresponding tothe location of the mobile device.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein atleast one of the first location-based client and the secondlocation-based client includes a radio client, the method comprising:streaming music by artists relevant to the location of the mobiledevice.
 7. The method of claim 2, wherein at least one of the firstlocation-based client and the second location-based client includes acity guide client that is configured to operate in one of an audio modeor a text mode, the method comprising: conditioned on determining thatthe audio mode of the city guide client is selected, presenting an audiotour of the location of the mobile device; and conditioned ondetermining that the text mode of the city guide client is selected,presenting an electronic guide book corresponding to the location of themobile device.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein controlling the firstlocation-based client to present the first content and controlling thesecond location-based client to present the second content comprises:displaying vehicle related settings corresponding to a vehicleassociated with the mobile device.
 9. The method of claim 8, comprising:detecting, using an accelerometer coupled to the mobile device, changesin velocity due to movement of the vehicle; identifying one of severalpossible routes based on the detected changes in velocity; and obtainingthe location of the mobile device in response to identifying one ofseveral possible routes.
 10. A non-transitory computer readable mediumstoring instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, areconfigured to cause the one or more processors to perform operationscomprising: determining, by a mobile device, a location of the mobiledevice; transmitting, to a network resource, a request for informationcorresponding to the determined location of the mobile device;receiving, from the network resource, information that includes firstcontent associated with a first location-based client and second contentassociated with a second location-based client, wherein the first andthe second location-based clients are configured to be executed on themobile device; in response to receiving the information from the networkresource: controlling the first location-based client to present, on adisplay coupled to the mobile device, the first content; and controllingthe second location-based client to present, on the display coupled tothe mobile device, the second content, wherein the first content and thesecond content are presented concurrently on the display coupled to themobile device.
 11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim10, wherein the first location-based client includes a map client andthe second location-based client includes a weather client, theoperations comprising: presenting a map indicating the location of themobile device; and presenting current weather at the location of themobile device concurrently with presenting the map indicating thelocation of the mobile device.
 12. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 10, wherein controlling the first location-based clientto present the first content and controlling the second location-basedclient to present the second content comprises: presenting a mapindicating the location of the mobile device; and in conjunction withpresenting the map indicating the location of the mobile device,presenting advertisements for products or services related to thelocation of the mobile device.
 13. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 10, wherein controlling the first location-based clientto present the first content and controlling the second location-basedclient to present the second content comprises: presenting a mapindicating the location of the mobile device; and in conjunction withpresenting the map indicating the location of the mobile device,presenting information on one or more of businesses, services orattractions corresponding to the location of the mobile device.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein at leastone of the first location-based client and the second location-basedclient includes a radio client, the operations comprising: streamingmusic by artists relevant to the location of the mobile device.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10, wherein at leastone of the first location-based client and the second location-basedclient includes a city guide client that is configured to operate in oneof an audio mode or a text mode, the operations comprising: conditionedon determining that the audio mode of the city guide client is selected,presenting an audio tour of the location of the mobile device; andconditioned on determining that the text mode of the city guide clientis selected, presenting an electronic guide book corresponding to thelocation of the mobile device.
 16. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 10, wherein controlling the first location-based clientto present the first content and controlling the second location-basedclient to present the second content comprises: displaying vehiclerelated settings corresponding to a vehicle associated with the mobiledevice.
 17. A system comprising: a mobile device that is configured toperform operations comprising: determining, by the mobile device, alocation of the mobile device; transmitting, to one or more networkresources, a request for information corresponding to the determinedlocation of the mobile device; receiving, from the one or more networkresources, information that includes first content associated with afirst location-based client and second content associated with a secondlocation-based client, wherein the first and the second location-basedclients are configured to be executed on the mobile device; in responseto receiving the information from the one or more network resources:controlling the first location-based client to present, on a displaycoupled to the mobile device, the first content; and controlling thesecond location-based client to present, on the display coupled to themobile device, the second content, wherein the first content and thesecond content are presented concurrently on the display coupled to themobile device.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the firstlocation-based client includes a map client and the secondlocation-based client includes a weather client, the operationscomprising: presenting a map indicating the location of the mobiledevice; and presenting current weather at the location of the mobiledevice concurrently with presenting the map indicating the location ofthe mobile device.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein controlling thefirst location-based client to present the first content and controllingthe second location-based client to present the second contentcomprises: presenting a map indicating the location of the mobiledevice; and in conjunction with presenting the map indicating thelocation of the mobile device, presenting advertisements for products orservices related to the location of the mobile device.
 20. The system ofclaim 17, wherein controlling the first location-based client to presentthe first content and controlling the second location-based client topresent the second content comprises: presenting a map indicating thelocation of the mobile device; and in conjunction with presenting themap indicating the location of the mobile device, presenting informationon one or more of businesses, services or attractions corresponding tothe location of the mobile device.
 21. The system of claim 17, whereinat least one of the first location-based client and the secondlocation-based client includes a radio client, the operationscomprising: streaming music by artists relevant to the location of themobile device.
 22. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one of thefirst location-based client and the second location-based clientincludes a city guide client that is configured to operate in one of anaudio mode or a text mode, the operations comprising: conditioned ondetermining that the audio mode of the city guide client is selected,presenting an audio tour of the location of the mobile device; andconditioned on determining that the text mode of the city guide clientis selected, presenting an electronic guide book corresponding to thelocation of the mobile device.
 23. The system of claim 17, whereincontrolling the first location-based client to present the first contentand controlling the second location-based client to present the secondcontent comprises: displaying vehicle related settings corresponding toa vehicle associated with the mobile device.